through the back door
idiom
: in a secret or indirect way
He managed to get into the private club through the back door because he has a friend who works there.
accessing the computer security system through the back door
Examples of through the back door in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the April break-in, Brent said that Austin Lanz smashed through the back door with a sledgehammer, opened their blinds, and rummaged through their bed.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Downstairs, the man who was watching her earlier is trying to get into her house through the back door.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
After soaking in the wild applause for a moment, all the actresses disappeared with Murphy through the back door except for Kardashian.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Karalis supplies his colleagues with fluorescent orange utility uniforms and stealthily leads them through the back door of the Bank Al Muraqabah, located just below Rahim’s building.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for through the back door
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Raby, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Downstairs, the man who was watching her earlier is trying to get into her house through the back door.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
After soaking in the wild applause for a moment, all the actresses disappeared with Murphy through the back door except for Kardashian.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Karalis supplies his colleagues with fluorescent orange utility uniforms and stealthily leads them through the back door of the Bank Al Muraqabah, located just below Rahim’s building.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for through the back door
Cite this Entry
“Through the back door.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through%20the%20back%20door. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share